Taking care of the paperwork

Having found good tenants, we have the knowhow to take care of all the paperwork involved with a tenancy – ensuring everyone stays on the right side of the law. Here’s what’s covered

DRAW UP TENANCY AGREEMENTS

Once you're happy with the choice of prospective tenants we compile the tenancy agreement and go through it with the tenants, ensuring they are fully aware of their responsibilities.

We then forward the agreements to you for signature. We do not usually sign tenancy agreements on a landlord’s behalf as we think it important that both parties are familiar with their obligations under the terms of the tenancy.

COMPILE THE INVENTORY

An accurate Inventory/Schedule of Condition is essential at the start of any tenancy to avoid disputes at the end.

At Whitton & Laing we draw up the inventories ourselves rather than outsourcing to a third party, so enquiries at the end of the tenancy can usually be answered and any disputes solved amicably by careful negotiation without involving a third party.

If you opt for our Letting & Management service, the cost of the inventories and schedule of condition is included in the fee.

If you opt for our Simply Letting service, the costs of the Inventory Incl VAT are

unfurnished

furnished

1 bedroom

£60

£90

2 bedrooms

£78

£120

3 bedrooms

£96

£150

4 bedrooms

£114

£180

check inventory at tenancy end

£60

£60

all prices Incl vat

HANDLE THE DEPOSIT

All deposits must now by law be lodged with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme, ensuring fair play by all parties. Any disputes at the end of the tenancy which cannot be resolved are then handled by the tenancy deposit scheme (find out more about deposits).

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

All let properties must by law have a valid energy performance certificate (EPC), which must be provided to the tenants at the start of the tenancy. Certificates usually have a lifespan of 10 years and we are able to provide these in-house at an additional cost if required.

COLLECT INITIAL MONIES

Once the tenancy agreement is signed, we collect the deposit and first month’s rent, ensuring the funds are cleared on/before the tenancy start date. We deduct our fee from the first month’s rent and forward any balance to you.

NOTIFY THE UTILITIES

We will notify all utilities (subject to your confirmation of each supplier) of the details of the incoming tenant.

At the end of the initial tenancy period (usually six months, but can be longer if mutually acceptable to both parties) the tenancy automatically rolls into a periodic tenancy (ie month-to-month), until either party gives notice. Unusually we don’t charge any renewal fees to either the tenant or the landlord.

OFFER LEGISLATION ADVICE

The law concerning property rental is complex and we will advise you as necessary for you to become and stay compliant with the law. Some of the legislation includes: